PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers midfielder David Guzmán has been called up by Costa Rica for a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, it was announced today. Additionally, defender Alvas Powell has been called up by Jamaica for a friendly match against Canada.
Guzmán and Powell will not miss any league games with the Timbers, as both players will rejoin the squad ahead of Portland’s next match, an away fixture on Sept. 9 against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.
Guzmán, 27, and Costa Rica will face the U.S. Men’s National Team at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., on Friday, Sept. 1. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Costa Rica will be televised nationally on ESPN, UniMas and UDN. Following the match against the United States, Costa Rica will return home to play host to Mexico at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, with the match set to begin at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Since making his senior team debut in 2010, Guzmán has earned 38 caps on the international stage, representing Costa Rica at the 2011 Copa America, the CONCACAF Gold Cup (2011, 2015, 2017) and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. During the 2017 MLS season, Guzmán has made 20 appearances (20 starts) for the Timbers, recording one goal and six assists. Guzmán’s six assists rank as the third-most on the team in 2017.
Powell, 23, joins Jamaica for an international friendly against Canada on Saturday, Sept. 2, at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. Heading into the match, Powell has made 29 appearances for the Jamaican National Team, most recently making six appearances (6 starts) in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup to help Jamaica to a second-place finish in the tournament.
With the Timbers this season, Powell has made 20 appearances (17 starts), recording one goal and three assists.
